Chelsea manager Rafael Benitez insists 'players are supporting me over what I said about the supporters'

Rafa Benítez insists the “majority” of Chelsea players are behind him,
agreeing with his Teesside tirade in which he criticised fans for creating a
“negative” atmosphere around the team by chanting abuse about him.

Rallying call: Chelsea captain John Terry is expected to ask fans to get behind the team against West BromPhoto: PA

Besieged by querulous supporters, Benítez could do with a senior player voicing support for him. John Terry’s programme notes for Saturday’s hugely important game against West Bromwich Albion will be scanned intently, although it is believed Chelsea’s captain issues only a general rallying cry.

It is difficult balancing act for players like Terry, who enjoy passionate backing from those sections of the Chelsea crowd also most opposed to Benítez. If Terry publicly champions the cause of the unpopular interim manager he risks alienating some fans, while silence could lead to some noisy headlines.

Terry, who has been troubled by a knee injury, took a full part in training at Cobham on Friday after which Benítez was in bullish mood.

“A lot of the players have been supporting me, telling me: ‘Listen, carry on doing your job which is the right job’,” he said. “They will enjoy having everyone pushing in the same direction. They will be pleased. The atmosphere in the training ground is really good, really good. The staff around Cobham are really good. I have a very good relationship with everyone. I don’t see a big problem there.

“I have a lot of conversations with players. The majority of them say they are pleased with the training sessions, the methods, the intensity, the tactics, everything.

"The majority will tell you they are happy. If you have 25 players in a squad, you’ll obviously have one or two who aren’t happy, but you can find that in every squad around the world and find somebody who is not happy. Players want to play.”

Terry wants to play. He always does, even through the pain barrier. Some players, particularly those in their 30s, sit out some training sessions to “manage” conditions but declare themselves ready for games. Benítez has devised a “specific plan” for Terry with the medical department.

“If he can complete a normal training session with the rest of the team then he can have more chances to play,’’ Benítez said. “Don’t forget we are talking about a player who has been injured for a while. He was really pleased with the plan and was progressing. He’s an important player for us. He has quality, he is the captain. I will decide whether he can play two games a week with the intensity.”

Terry’s leadership could be important in what could prove a nervous occasionon Saturday if the fans, as expected, turn again on Benítez.

Chelsea’s interim manager reiterated his desire for the fans to focus on backing the team. His mantra was about the need to “stick together”, a phrase he used 10 times. “I am part of the team. I need the supporters behind the team. We must stick together. Then we can win and we can talk about [finishing in] the top two again.”

As for his criticism of the fans following Wednesday’s FA Cup win at Middlesbrough, Benítez had no regrets, no retractions.

“It’s very clear and obvious: when the atmosphere is good, the players perform a little bit better,’’ he said. Chelsea’s slip to fourth, taking only eight points from 18, was due to the fans’ protests against him and because of the inexperienced nature of some members of the team. “You don’t have, at the moment, some of the big names you had in the past,” Benítez argued.

“You have new players who need to settle in the Premier League. It’s a team in transition. They are good young players, with a lot of talent, but they need more experience in the Premier League. Some games that we were winning we couldn’t win and maybe with more experience we could do it, just to keep the ball.”

Despite the venomous noises, Benítez was still enjoying life at Chelsea. “Yes. I have a passion for football. I like to prepare games, to train and coach players and to win.’’

He had strong backing from those close to him. “My friends and family support me.’’ None of them had asked him whether the job was worth all the grief from Chelsea fans. “To say that they support me is that they agree with my decisions.”

Benítez definitely leaves this summer, although he proved elusive when asked whether he wanted to stay in the Premier League. “I have to concentrate on West Brom.” He was asked again. “I have to concentrate on West Brom,’’ he replied. Surely he had some notion about the future? “I have to concentrate on West Brom.’’

So he was not thinking about the future? “I like to concentrate on West Brom.’’ Even victory on Saturday will not halt the resistance movement.